DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i07.064

Pages: 2591-2594

Aims: To study renal dysfunction in rickettsial illness (scrub typhus). Material and Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Patients aged 18 to 60 years with positive IgM ELISA for scrub typhus with or without eschar were included. The clinical profile was observed. Those having renal dysfunction were analyzed on basis of BUN to creatinine ratio (BCR). Observations: Total 151 patients were included in the study, 39 males and 112 females. Renal dysfunction was present in 77(50.1%) patients, 71.4% having BCR > 20,28.6% having <20. There were 10 deaths, all having raised BCR (p 0.032). Conclusion: Renal dysfunction occurs in significant number of patients with scrub typhus. If BCR is used to ascertain possible etiology, prerenal dysfunction is most likely etiology. Patients with raised BCR have higher mortality.